We’re now 12 games into the Premier League season and the league table is starting to take shape.
With the top-four of the league table currently reading: Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise if that’s the way the table looked come next May. That being said, it’s still a long way to go. This weekend offers an exciting range of Premier League fixtures with the standout match the London derby between Antonio Conte’s in-form Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino’s unbeaten Tottenham.
Saturday 26 November
9/1 Burnley | Draw 47/10 | Manchester City 1/4 (14:30)
Burnley were thrashed 4-0 at West Brom on Monday night, their fourth defeat from five away games. Defensively, the Clarets were a total shambles from the first minute to the last. Sean Dyche’s side will need to improve as they face title-chasing Manchester City in Saturday’s early kick-off. Burnley have been better on home soil, winning four of their seven games – including two on the spin. Let’s not forget they stunned Liverpool 2-0 earlier in the season, although their confidence could be low after Monday’s result. Manchester City are unbeaten in five Premier League matches and have won five of their six away games, scoring 15 goals while conceding six. With Yaya Toure back in the side, they look even stronger and the away win is tipped confidently.
39/20 Hull City | 21/10 | West Brom 15/10 (17:00)
Hull City failed to build on their win over Southampton by suffering a 3-0 loss away to fellow strugglers Sunderland. Mike Phelan’s toothless Tigers have won just two of their 12 games played, suffering eight defeats. They’ve scored the least goals (10) in the Premier League and have shipped the most (27). Hull City will need to improve against Tony Pulis’ West Brom, who put Burnley to the sword on Monday. The Baggies are up to ninth in the table after an emphatic 4-0 victory, which equalled their biggest win in the Premier League era. They’ll be confident of securing a third straight win against Hull and so am I. The visitors are tipped to come away with maximum points.
8/10 Leicester City | 51/20 | Middlesbrough 34/10 (17:00)
Leicester City suffered a second straight defeat as they went down 2-1 at Watford last Saturday, extending their winless run to three matches. Nearly a third of the season gone, and half of the games lost, leaving Claudio Ranieri’s side just two points above the relegation zone. They need to rediscover some sense of their former selves soon. This weekend they host 15th-placed Middlesbrough, who have impressed in recent weeks. The Teesiders suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Chelsea last Sunday, but there were positive signs for Aitor Karanka. Boro were well-organised, well-disciplined and worked incredibly hard as a unit. They’ll be looking to bounce back strongly against the fallen champions. Boro’s backline is well-marshalled by Ben Gibson and Calum Chambers, while the likes of Adama Traore, Alvaro Negredo and Gaston Ramirez are dangerous in attack. I’m backing Boro on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 9/10.
1/6 Liverpool | 13/2 | Sunderland 14/1 (17:00)
Liverpool have dropped to second after they failed to beat Southampton, despite a host of chances. Jurgen Klopp will be confident his side can return to winning ways against relegation-threatened Sunderland. The Reds – unbeaten in 10 league games – are yet to taste defeat at Anfield, winning four of their five games, scoring 17 goals while conceding four. David Moyes’ side have picked up back-to-back wins against Bournemouth and Hull in their battle to avoid the drop. Victor Anichebe and Jermain Defoe look to be forming a deadly partnership. The duo have scored five goals between them – two for Defoe, and three for Anichebe. However, Klopp’s side should have too much class for the Black Cats. With little value on the Reds, take Both Teams to Score at even money.
15/10 Swansea City | 23/10 | Crystal Palace 18/10 (17:00)
Seamus Coleman’s last-gasp header robbed Swansea boss Bob Bradley of a first Premier League victory as Everton salvaged a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. The Swans put in a resilient performance in the hopes of claiming their first league victory since the opening day, but suspect defending eventually proved costly once again. The Swans – five points adrift of safety – will be desperate for three points against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace. Alan Pardew’s men were beaten 2-1 by a Yaya Toure-inspired Manchester City last weekend. The Eagles are winless in six matches with five losses on the spin. The two strugglers are tipped to cancel each other out.
15/20 Chelsea | 11/4 | Tottenham 7/2 (19:30)
Sunday 27 November
29/20 Watford | 9/4 | Stoke City 19/10 (14:00)|
Goals from Etienne Capoue and Roberto Pereyra handed Walter Mazzarri’s men a 2-1 win over Leicester City at Vicarage Road, moving the Hornets to within a point of Manchester United. It’s been 29 seasons since Watford finished in the top half of the top division but it may be an achievable goal this term. The Hornets are unbeaten in their last four home games with three wins, including two on the bounce. Troy Deeney will be hoping to score his 100th goal for the club after going five games without a goal. Stoke got exactly what their disjointed and lacklustre display deserved with a 1-0 defeat against a lively Bournemouth side. Mark Hughes’ side are now winless in two matches while they’ve only managed one win from their six away games. Back the hosts to continue their good home form.
4/10 Arsenal | 39/10 | Bournemouth 6/1 (16:15)
Olivier Giroud’s 89th minute header handed Arsenal a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford last Saturday. Although Arsene Wenger’s side were well below-par, you could see it as a display of character and resilience and all the immeasurable qualities which are said to be endowed on title challengers. Getting results when not at your best is the mark of champions and Arsenal are unbeaten since losing to Liverpool on the opening day of the season. Following back-to-back draws, Wenger’s side will want nothing less than three points against Bournemouth. The Cherries recorded a 1-0 win at Stoke last Saturday, with on-loan Chelsea defender Nathan Ake scoring with a 26th-minute header before Stoke forward Bojan Krkic squandered a chance to equalise early in the second half when his penalty hit the crossbar. Prior to that result, Eddie Howe’s side were winless in three games with two losses on the bounce against Middlesbrough and Sunderland. The home win is a banker bet at 4/10.
9/20 Manchester United | 34/10 | West Ham 57/10 (18:30)
Despite Man United’s strong performance, they failed to put the game to bed against Arsenal, allowing Arsene Wenger’s team to snatch a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Although Jose Mourinho has every right to be frustrated to concede so late in the game, he would have been pleased with the motivation, ambition and competitiveness that his players showed. They’ll be looking to build on that performance against West Ham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return from suspension to boost United’s attack, which lacked bite against Arsenal. West Ham remain just one place above the relegation places in the league following their 3-2 defeat at Tottenham, their fifth loss from six away games. Back the home win at 9/20.
21/20 Southampton | 24/10 | Everton 26/10 (18:30)
A superb defensive effort from Southampton saw them claim a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Liverpool at St. Mary’s Stadium last Saturday. The Saints knew exactly what the game plan needed to be and stuck to it from the opening whistle. Their defensive structure may not have created the spectacle fans were hoping for, but it did keep the league leaders at bay throughout. Claude Puel’s side will be looking to end their four-game winless streak and secure maximum points against Everton, now managed by former Saints boss Ronald Koeman. The Toffees needed an 89th-minute leveller from Seamus Coleman as they drew 1-1 at home to bottom-of-the-log Swansea. They’re winless in their last four travels, suffering three defeats – including two on the spin. I’m going for a Southampton win at 21/20.
TREBLE @ 3/1
Man City Win 1/4
West Brom Win 15/10
Arsenal Win 4/10
Chadley Nagel
